Navy Destroyer Heading To Bottom To Become Reef

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) — Contractors are busy preparing a former Navy destroyer for its second life as an artificial reef off the coasts of Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.

However, environmentalists say they are worried about pollutants that will leach from the ship’s paint and other parts as it sits on the bottom. Diving and fishing groups, meanwhile, are excited because of the fish the sunken ship will attract.

The sinking of the 563-foot Arthur W. Radford is planned for later this month or early August. Contractors are removing wiring, ductwork and other materials that contain pollutants such as PCBs as well as removing brass, bronze and other exotic alloys, which are being sold.

The $945,000 project is the latest in a series of sinkings that have included retired New York City subway cars.